Nanotechnology-enabled Agriculture and its Environmental Impact

The use of nanotechnology in agriculture and the environment presents innovative solutions to enhance plant production and health, improve soil and water quality, and remediate contaminated environments. These advancements are crucial in addressing the ever-increasing demand for food amidst global climate change and pathogen outbreaks. However, as nanomaterials become more prevalent in commercial products, public debate intensifies over whether their environmental and social costs outweigh the benefits. A major challenge lies in our limited understanding of the environmental impacts of nanomaterials. Systematic and comprehensive assessments are essential to accurately predict their potential benefits and side effects.

This Research Topic will address several research gaps. There is a pressing need for the development of green, cost-effective, and safe nanomaterials. More research is needed on the toxicological and environmental effects of both direct and indirect exposure to nanomaterials. Understanding how nanomaterials interact with macro- and microorganisms in soil-water systems is vital, including how these interactions impact soil, water, and crop quality. Mechanism studies need to consider the differences in toxicology among the nanomaterials (shape, size, and chemical composition), exposure dose and time, co-existent pollutants, other agricultural amendments, as well as experimental conditions. Finally, systematic studies are crucial in safeguarding our environment and food production systems, while making efforts to raise public awareness of nanotechnology.

This Research Topic aims to advance knowledge and understanding of nanotechnology in agriculture and environmental management, ensuring its safe and effective use by addressing both its potential benefits and risks. It aims to guide research, inform policy decisions, and raise public awareness, benefiting a wide range of stakeholders involved in these fields.

We welcome submissions on the following themes:

• Understanding nanomaterials' environmental impact
• Evaluation of the toxicity of nanoproducts used in agricultural systems
• New approaches to risk assessment and management of nanotechnology
• Improving soil and water quality through nanotechnology
• Interactions of nanomaterials in soil-water systems
• Nanotechnology for enhanced plant production and health
• Nanotechnology for environmental remediation
• Characterization and evaluation of green, safe nanomaterials
• Balancing the environmental and social costs of nanotechnology

Keywords: Nanomaterials, Plant growth, Soil health, Water quality, Nanotoxicology.

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.